He's already won over the Illawarra faithful, but Hawks star LaMelo Ball has shown the feeling is mutual with the NBA Draft aspirant pledging a month of his salary to fire fighting efforts on the South Coast.
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With South Coast communities still counting the toll of horrendous bushfires that have prompted the state government to declare a state of emergency, Ball said it was the least he could do.
"It's sad to see what is happening on the South Coast of Australia," Ball said in a statement.
"People have lost their homes and everything they own. My parents taught me to help out wherever I can, so this is my way of helping out."
Friday's gesture comes a day before the Hawks take on Melbourne United at the WEC, with Ball edging closer to a return from injury.
The club will partner with the Illawarra Mercury, in raising funds for the Salvation Army Disaster Appeal which is also helping victims of Australia's bushfires.